The band was called The Cyrkle. That was the name given them by John Lennon … well sources are a bit conflicted, actually. It appears that the name came from Nathan Weiss, who managed them … and he was the partner of Brian Epstein, who managed The Beatles. Weiss had signed the band when they were working the club circuit as The Rhondells. Weiss decided their new name would be The Circle, and it was John Lennon, apparently, who came up with the idea to change from The Circle into the infinitely more interesting name, The Cyrkle.

The Players

Don Danneman, guitar & vocals

Tom Dawes, bass guitar & vocals

Earl Pickens, keyboards

Marty Fried, drums

Chronology

September 6, 1965, discovered playing in Atlantic City on Labor Day

1966, opening act on 14 dates of The Beatles tour, including the August 28 date at Dodger Stadium

2 responses to “John Lennon Made The Cyrkle”

Marty is my cousin. His drumming inspired my music career at a very young age (which continues to this day, though I soon switched to guitar). Very gratifying to hear their songs again on Sirius and to see them written about- thanks so much for posting!